Coal cutting machine



Aprl' 18, 195o w. v. SHEPPARD 2,504,598

COAL CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 18, 1950 w. v. SHEPPARD coAL CUTTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1948 17j/gn 4. J6' 14 32 April 18, 1950 w. v. sHx-:PPARD 2,504,598

` COAL CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheef 3 Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COAL CUTTING MACHINE Application March 23, 1948, Serial No. 16,537 In Great Britain April 1, 1947 12 Claims. l

This invention relates to coal cutting machines of the kind which are adapted to be traversed over the floor of a mine to and fro alongside the coal face thereof, the machine being provided with. horizontal cutting jibs having chain type cutters for extending into and operating horizontally in the coal face for effecting undercuttng thereof, and with a vertical shearing jib also having chain type cutters for extending into and operating vertically in the coal face for eiecting a vertical cut therein remote from the -face thereof and in a plane substantially parallel with the line of traverse lof the machine, the undercutting and vertical cutting of the coal face being effected in each direction of traverse of the machine.

An object of the invention Vis to provide an improved coal cutting machine having horizontal cutting jibs that will be vcapable .of operating in the coal face in either direction `of traverse of the machine without dismantling or disconnecting them from the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide that the vertical shearing,r jib may be connected to the horizontal cutting jibs Vso as to be capable of operating therewith in either direction of traverse of the machine without `the necessity for disconnecting it from said horizontal cntting jibs.

It is a further object of the invention. so tn conn ect the vertical shearing jib to the horizontal cutting `iibs that it will be slung therefrom. by cantilever with which it may be swung to either side of the horizontal cutting jibs Afor trailing thereby according to the direction of traverse `of the machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means on the machine for directing the got.- ten coal to the front of the machine and on to a conveyor between which and the coal face the machine is traversed.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the vfollowing `description together with the reference therein to the accompanying diagrammatic .drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of coal cutting machine made .in `accordance with this in vention.

Fig. 2 is a plan of same showing the machine set in the operative position at a coal face and ready for traversing to the left.

Fig. 3 is a section on the .line III-III of -2 drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is asection on the line IV--IVof Fig. 3.

6 is a detail View representative -of a secy tion on the line VI--VI of Fig. 4 but showing a slight modication thereof.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation, partly in section, of

a modified form of machine.

Fig. 8 is a plan of the machine Ashown in Fig. '7.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, Sheets 1 and 2,

the body of the machine with motor and gearing therein is represented generally at II! and lo l cated alongside the coal face II of a mine for haulage along the floor to and fro substantially in parallel with said .coal face between it `and a conveyor I 2` Projecting at 'right angles from .the body IIL v niedia'lly of the ends thereof, is a common supporting structure -I3 for a pair of upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs I4 and I5 -each fitted with cutters i6 of the chain type for-operating in the coal .face II to effect under-cutting thereof as the machine is hauled along the floor.

YSlung from the outer end of the supporting structure 13 is a vertical shearing jib I? iitted f with cutters I8 also of the chain type, said shearing jib being supported by a jib post L9 which is carried by a downwardly cranked cantilever 'arm 25! pivoted to the supporting structure I3 as shown at 2-I in 4, and projecting therefrom in the space between the upper and lower cutting jibs -I4 and I5. The vertical shearing iib I is thereby capable of being manipulably swung, about the pivot'.2l, to a position at either side of the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 when clear of the coal face, and, during traverse -of the machine, said shearing jib is located at the rear of said horizontal cutting jibs Yfor `'trailing therebehind.

'The chain cutters Iz ofthe horizontal cutting iibs I4, l5 are operated `by -a driving head -22 .as seen 'in Fig. 3, extendingr through a cross member 23 in fthe machine body I0. The chain cutters points .2.6, 21 @of the Igear drive (not shown) provided in .the machine body IB iorithe purpose.

I-t will be seen therefore, that when the emachine is -bei-ng traversed to the lett, looking at Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a modication. 1,-;

Fig. 2, the vertical shearing iib driving Mis coupled by the shaft A25 to thefiriving point 25 es shown in dotted lines .but 'when the ina- 4chine is being traversed to the right, said driving head 24 is coupled by the shaft 25 to the driving point 21 as shown in dash and dot lines.

The vertical shearing jib post I9` is provided with an integral bracket 28, Fig. 4, by which it is secured to the cantilever arm 20 and the cantilever arm has a depending base 29 for riding on the floor so as to give additional support to the vertical jib post I9.

The supporting structure |3 for the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I is rooted to the machine body Ill by means of a bifurcated root part 3E! to which the forward part of said structure is detachabll bolted by the bolts 3|, shown more clearly in Fig. 3.

The upper and lower horizontal jib posts 32 and 33 respectively are also secured by the bolts 3| to the root part 35 and the upper and lower jibs I4, I5 are carried by their respective jib posts 32, 33 so as to be capable of longitudinal adjustment in well known manner as, for example, by an adjusting device 3E, Figs. 2 and 3, to suit the overall length of their chain cutters.

Similarly, the vertical shearing jib I'I is also capable of longitudinal adjustment by the adjusting device 31, Fig. 1.

The machine is fitted with a haulage winch 38, Figs. 1 and 2, the rope 39 of which is hitched at its free end to any suitable anchorage, said winch being driven, as is usual, from the motor driven gearing (not shown) in the body I whereby the machine is traversed as the rope is wound upon the winch.

A4 plough device 40 is removably and interchangeably attachable to either end of the machine body according to which end thereof is the front at the time of traverse of the machine.

A trailing chute 4|, Figs. 1 and 2, comprising two lengths of which the outer length 42 is curved and reversibly attachable to the other, is provided for receiving gotten coal and discharging it on tothe conveyor I2. The delivery end of this chute rides on the floor while at its feed end it is supported at one side by being secured at 43 to a. stationary part of the driving head 24 of the vertical shearing jib Il and at the opposite side to a detachable eye lug 44, Fig. 2, which is attached to the machine body I0 at the trailing side of the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5, fo;` securing the chute according to which end of the machine the chute is being trailed. The curved length 42 is sion drive shaft 25 transferred and coupled to the j vertical shearing jib and to the point 2l, Fig. 2, on

provided with vertical side walls 45 to guide the coal to the -delivery end of the chute.

Dual controls 46 are provided, one set at each end of the machine body for operating the motor driven gearing.

As will be seen in Fig. 1, the body I0 of the machine is provided with an opening 4l' exending from the front to the back thereof to provide a passage for the chain cutters I6 of the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 and the rcot part 3!) of the supporting structure I3 is extended laterally in being rooted to the machine body as seen in Fig. l.

The supporting structure I3 for the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 is rooted to the macifine body so that the return bends of the horizonal chain cutters IB at the inner ends of said jibs operate about a centre located substantially mediall'yof the ends of the machine body I0 and in. a vertical plane near to the longitudinal axis thereof, thus providing that the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 will operate in either direction of traverse of the machine and also providing that the chain cutters IB will bring broken coal as small cuttings through the opening 41 in the machine body and deposit them on to the conveyor I2.

The shearing jib I'I is mounted on the cantilever arm 28 so as to be capable of being swivelled thereon.

In operation and assuming the coa1 face has first been opened out at the right hand end as shown in Fig. 2, to enable the machine to be set in position as shown and for-traversing towards the left, the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 will, on movement of the machine, undercut the coal face while the vertical shearing jib, trailing in the wake of said cutting jibs, will effect a vertical cut at the back of the coal face, with the result that coal, above the upper horizontal cutting jib I4 and between it and the vertical shearing jib, will break away and fall on to the chute 4|, 42 and be pushed or slide down to the delivery end thereof and be discharged on to the conveyor I2. Some of the coal removed by the two horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 will be conveyed by the cutters thereof through the opening 41 in the machine body to the front thereof and be deposited to the conveyor I2.

While the machine is operating and before it reaches the end of its traverse, however, the left hand end of the coal face is opened out sufficient- 4ly to allow the vertical shearing jib I I to be swivelled through upon the cantilever arm 2|) and to be swung therewith about the pivot 2|, Figs. 3 and 4, and round the outer end of the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 and the transmisthe machine. The chute 4I, 42 is secured in position at the opposite end of the machine with the length 42 thereof reversed. The machine is then moved sideways up to the newly formed coal face and set ready for operational traverse in the opposite direction, that is to say, to the right looking at Fig. 2, and as the machine again operates, the horizontal cutting jibs I4, I5 and vertical shearing jib I'I operate in the coal face as before described but in the opposite direction.

Should it be desired to tilt the vertical shearing jib to either side of verticality, a wedge shaped packing piece 48, Fig. 4 is substituted for a parallel packing piece 49, Fig. 1, which is normally used.

Where desired the chute 4|, 42 may be subjected to a jolting action in order to assist movement of the coal thereon towards the delivery end thereof.

Referring now -to the modified construction shown in the detail View Fig. 5, Sheet 2, the horizontal jib supporting lstructure I 3a from which the upper jib is omitted, is provided with a plurality of xed coal picks 50 located at intervals in the sides of the structure i3d for the purpose of facilitating the breaking down of coal in the space between the operative area of the upper and lower cutters |6a of the horizontal jibs when the machine is being traversed.

Fig. 5 also shows an arrangement for rigidly holding the cantilever` arm 20a against undesired pivotal movement so that the vertical shearing jib I'Ia shall not swing during traverse of the machine. This arrangement comprises a cranked anchoring arm 5I which is anchored to the horizontal jib supporting structure I3a by a removable pin 52 and tothe cantilever arm 20a similarly by a pin 53, 'said `jib structure being slotted at 54 to accommodate the anchoring arm and the latter being bifurcated to straddle the cantilever arm in being secured thereto.

Referring to Fig. 6, Sheet 2, theverticalshear- 'I ing jib post I9b has a bifurcated basal pari; 60,

one limb' el offwhieh is kemanata laterally at* right angles for securing 'to rthe cantilever arm h by the swivel pin .62 while each limb El., 6.2 is `fitted with bearings 63 for the cutter chain driving spindle 64 which .is adapted at its end V$35 for coupling up to the machine Vfor operating the chain cutters [8b.

Figs 17 and'B, Sheet .3,show a further ymodified form of machine which is suitable for Voperating in seams of coal which are thicker than vthose usually Amet with. In ythis modified construction, an additional Yhorizontal .cutting jib TID `is fitted to the machine along with 'a rotary `cutting `element 1l which .may .be fitted .'above the `additional jib "l0 4'as shown in vfull-lines, or preferably, below it `as 'shown in chain lines. The additional jib .10 and rotary cutting element FH :are `snpported from the top .of the machine :body 10c by a turret 12 secured thereto and accommodating a vertical driving spindle '13 which is `oper-- ated from the driving gear (not shown) .within the machine body lc for operating the sprocket wheel F14 which drives the chain cutters 15 of said jib. JAt its outer end, the additional horizontal cutting jib 10 is provided `with a driven sprocket 16 `made fast to 'a spindle 11 which `is extended to Icarry fand drive the rotary cutting element 1I. This 'spindle :'11 extends rotatably through one end TB of an anchoring Jarm 19 which is connected toa lug 80 at 'the upper end of the vertical shearing jib I'lc, .as seen in Fig. 8, thus :affording additional support thereto 4and restraininglsaid jib against undesired pivotal or swinging movement.

Arotary cutting element 'l-l such las vis Ashown in lFigs. 17 Vand 8, .may be mounted on the top .of the upper lhorizontal cutting jib I4 ishownin Figs. 1 lto 4 inclusive.

What I claim is:

l. A coal cutting machine comprising, a machine body, upper land lower horizontal cutting jbszcarrying separate-endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a common supporting structure carrying said .jibs land located therebetweenand rooted to themachine body intermediate the vends thereof, a driving head on said "supporting structure for operating the horizontal jib chain cutters, iaca'ntileverarm pivoted tothe supporting structure remote lfrom the machinebody-and extending-betweensad horizontal jib for .manipulableswinging movement therebetween, a vertical :shearing -jib carryingan endless chain cutter operably in `a vertical A)plane connected :to the free end of said cantilever arm `in trailing relation to said supporting-structure and clear `of the horizontal fchain `cutters for swingable movement with said cantilever arm around the outer ends of the horizontal jibs, a chain cutter driving head on the vertical jib, driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the chain cutter driving heads of the horizontal and vertical jibs, and means on the machine body at both sides of `the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transmission shaft to the chain cutter .driving head of `the vertical jib.

2. A coal cuttingr machine as claimed 'in claim l, characterized by the vertical shearing :jib ibein'gconnected to .thecantilever arm aboutiaswivel pin-thereon.

3. A coal cutting machine comprising, a machine body, upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters oper.. ably inpar'allel horizontal planesa common supporting structure carrying said jibs and located therebetween and rooted to the machine body intermediate the lends thereof, a cantilever ari-nA pivoted to the supporting structure remote trom the machine body and extending between said horizontal jibs for manipulable swinging `inlovement therebetween, a `vertical shearing gib carrying an endless chain cutter operably in a vertical plane and connected Yto the free end of nsaid cantilever arm in ltrailing relation to `said 'supporting structure 'for swin'gable movement with said cantilever arm around the `outer ends lof the horizontal jibs, means connected to and anchor- .ing the cantilever arm to the supporting structure, and driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the cha-in cutters of the horizontal cutting and vertical shearing jibs.

4. A coal cutting machine comprising, a machine body, upper and lower horizontal `cutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a .common supporting structure carrying said jibs and located therebetween and rooted yto the machine body 'in-l termediate the ends thereof, a cantilever 4.arm pivoted to the supporting structure remote from the machine body and extending between said 'hor-i1- zontal j ibs Vfor manipulable swinging movement therebetween, a vertical shearing jib 'carrying a vertically operable endless chain cutter and slung from said supporting structure swivelably upon the cantilever arm for manipulable swinging movement therewith about the outer end of said supporting structure, driving mechanism .in 'the machine body lor operating the Achain cutters Lof the horizontal cutting and vertical shearing jibs, and means on the machine body at both sides oi the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transmission shaft to the vertical shearing jib for operating the chain cutter thereof.

g 5. A coal cutting machine comprising, :a ma-y chine body, upliler and lower horizontal lcutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a common supporting structure carrying said jibs and .located therebetween and rooted to the machine body intermediate the ends thereof, a cantilever arm pivoted to the supporting structure remote from the machine Vbody and yextending between said horizontal jibs for manipulable swinging movement therebetween, a vertical shearing jib carrying a vertically operable endless chain cu"- ter and slung from said `supporting structure swivelably upon the cantilever arm for manipula'- ble swinging movement therewith about the outer end of said supporting structure, means detachably anchoring the cantilever arm to the supportingjstructure, driving mechanism in the Ina-- chine body Vfor operating the chain cutters of the:

horizontal cutting Vand vertical shearing jibs, and meansonv the machine body at both sides of the horizontal ,j ibs selectively Ycouplable fbyv transmission shaft to the vertical `shea-ring jib -or op-y erating the chain cutter thereof.

6. A coal cutting machine comprising, a rrina-A chine body, `upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs` carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a .common supporting 4structure carrying `said jibs and-.ilo-A extending `between said horizontal jibsior. ma-- nlpulable swinging :movement thereknetvwegen,r iai vertical shearing jib carrying a vertically operable endless chain -cutter and slung' from' said supporting structure for trailing at either side thereof upon the cantilever arm, said vertical shearing jib being swingable with said arm around and clear of the horizontal chain cutters and about a pivotal connection of said arm with said supporting structure, driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the horizontal and vertical chain cutters, means on the machine body at opposite sides of the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transmission shaft to the vertical shearing jib for operating the chain cutter thereof, and a chute movable with the machine for trailing at either side of the horizontal jibs and adapted to direct coal gotten from the coal face by the jibs to the front oi the machine.

7. Al coal cutting machine comprising, a machine body, upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a common supporting structure carrying said jibs and located therebetween and rooted to the machine body intermediate the endsI thereof, and about an opening extending transversely therethrough which admits passage of the horizontal chain cutters, a cantilever arm pivoted to the supporting .structure remote from the machine body and extending'between said horizontal jibs for manipulable swinging movement therebetween, a vertical shearing jib carrying a vertically operable endless chain cutter and slung from said sup-- porting structure for trailing at either side thereof upon the cantilever arm, said vertical shearing jlb being swingable with said arm around and clear of the horizontal chain cutters and about a.

pivotal connection of said arm with said sup porting structure, means detachably anchoring the cantilever arm to the supporting structure, driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the horizontal and vertical chain cutters, means on the machine body at opposite: sides of the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transmission shaft to the vertical shearing jlbl for operating the chain cutter thereof, and a chute movable with the machine for trailing at either' side of the horizontal jibs and adapted to direct coal gotten from the coal face by the jibs to the front of the machine.

8. A coal cutting machine comprising, a nia-I chine body, upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a common supporting structure carrying said jibs and lo-f -cated therebetween and rooted to the machine: vbody intermediate the ends thereof, and about an. 'opening extending transversely therethrough which admits passage of the horizontal chain cutters, a cantilever arm pivoted to the supporting structure remote from the machine body and extending between said horizontal jibs for ma nipulable swinging movement therebetween.. a vertical shearing jib carrying a vertically operable endless chain cutter and slung from said supporting structure for trailing at either sidethereof upon the cantilever arm, said. vertical'. shearing jib being swingable with said arm around and clear of the horizontal chain cutters and about a pivotal connection oi said arm with said supporting structure, the outer end of said cantilever arm engaging the floor for riding thereon, driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the horizontal and vertical chain cutters, means on the machine body at opposite sides ci the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transi s' Le.)

Si t

mission-shaftto thevertical shearing jlbI for dperating the chain cutter thereof, and a chute,

movable with the machine for trailing at either side of the horizontal jibs and adapted to direct coal gotten from the coal face by the jibs to the iront of the machine.

9. A coal cutting machine comprising, a machine body, upper and lower horizontal cutting jibs carrying separate endless chain cutters operably in parallel horizontal planes, a common supporting structure carrying said jibs and located therebetween and rooted to the machine body intermediate the ends thereof, and about an opening-extending transversely therethrough which admits passage of the horizontal chain cutters; acantilever arm-pivoted to the supporting structure remote' from the machine body and extending vbetween said horizontal jibs for manipulable swinging movement therebetween, a. vertical shearing jib carrying a vertically operable endless chain cutter and slung from said supporting structure for trailing at either side thereof upon the cantilever arm, said vertical shearing j ib being swingable with said arm around and clear of the horizontal chain cutters and about a pivotal connection of said arm with said supporting structure, the outer end of said cantilever arm engaging the floor for riding thereon, means detachably anchoring the cantilever arm to the supporting structure, driving mechanism in the machine body for operating the horizontal and vertical chain cutters, meansV on the ma-l chine body at opposite sides of the horizontal jibs selectively couplable by transmission shaft to the vertical shearing jlb for operating the cha-in cutter thereof, and a chute movable with the -machine for trailing at either side of the horizontal `iibs and adapted to direct coal gotten from the coal face by the jibs to the front or" the machine,

10. A coal cutting machine as claimed in claim 9, characterized `by the provision of fixed cutter picks upon the common supporting structure at the sides thereof and. between the lines oi cut'of the horizontal cutting jibs.

1l. A coal cutting machine as' claimed in claim" 10, characterized by the vertical shearing jib be ing supported for adjustment within its own plane to either side of verticality.

12. A coal cutting machine as claimed in claim 9 characterized by an additional horizontal cut ting jib supported by and above the machine body and carrying a rotary cutting element operable by saidl jib, and means on said `jib connected to and supporting the vertical shearing jib at'its upper end. v

WILLIAM VINCENT SHEPPARD. l

REFERENCES CITED 4The fcllowing references are ci record in the 

